Automatic butt splicer



y 1956 G. N. AUERBACHER ET AL 2,745,464

AUTOMATIC BUTT SPLICER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 18, 1952 INVENTORGEORGE N. QvERBncHER LAWRENCE H. HASKINJR.

y 15, 1955 G. N. AUERBACHER ET AL 2,745,464

AUTOMATIC BUTT SPLICER Filed Dec. 18, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GEORGE N. HUERBFICHER L WRENCE H. HQSKIN JR. BY

ATTORN Y y 1956 G. N. AUERBACHER ET AL 2,745,464

AUTOMATIC BUTT SPLICER Filed Dec. 18, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 j UPPER canQ6 l 1;: currcu l 6 7e 1 I56 I18: START H4 62 El? 46 INVENTOR GEORGE N.HUERBHCHER LAWRENCE H. HQSKINJR.

ATTORN EY United States Patent AUTOMATIC BUTT SPLICER George N.Auerbacher, South Orange, and Lawrence H. Haskin, Jr., Bloomfield, N..L, assignors to Champlain gonlrfipany, Inc., Bloomfield, N. L, acorporation of N ew Application December 18, 1952, Serial No. 326,548

42 Claims. (Cl, 154-423) This invention relates to the splicing of a webto a web, usually the trailing end of a web leaving a first roll, to theleading end of a web coming from a new roll, and more particularly thebutt splicing of webs of heavy material or cardboard.

With a thin web a splice may be made by overlapping the sheets, but withcardboard it is necessary to make a butt splice. The splice is held bythin strips of material cemented on either or both sides at the buttingends. Usually the web is being fed from a roll to high speed apparatusfor printing or/ and die cutting or the like, and one object of thepresent invention is to provide splicing apparatus which does notnecessitate interrupting the operation of the apparatus receiving theweb.

In an effort to meet this requirement it has been suggested to provide avery long deep slack loop between the supply roll and the press, thisloop being so long as to provide time during which a splice may be madeas the material of the loop is being taken up. However, such anarrangement requires a great deal of room for the long slack loop, andis also critical and inconvenient for other reasons. Attempts have beenmade to provide automatic splicers which will function rapidly and thusrequire only a short loop.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a butt splicerwhich will function on a moving web without necessitating any slack loopat all. A more particular object is to provide the leading and trailingwebs with perfectly matching ends at the butt splice, and for thispurpose the webs are overlapped, and are cut through simultaneously bycutting rolls.

An ancillary object is to provide means for promptly removing theoverlapping or scrap material. For example, if the new web is alwaysplaced on top of the old web, as we prefer to do, the scrap at theleading end of the new web is drawn upwardly away from the upper cuttingroll. Similarly, the scrap from the trailing end of the old web is drawndownwardly away from the lower cutting roll. Appropriate feed rolls areprovided to keep the new web moving along with the old web so that thefreshly severed ends remain in abutting relation as they move towardsplicing rolls which follow immediately after the cutting rolls.

The splicing rolls employ adhesive material, and for convenience thispreferably takes the form of pressure sensitive adhesive tapes carriedby the rolls and applied thereby to the top and bottom faces of the webalong the splice.

It will be evident that continued rotation of the cutting rolls wouldsever the newly spliced web, and accordingly a further object of theinvention is to prevent repeated operation of the cutting and splicingrolls. For this purpose the rolls in each pair are normally spaced apartsomewhat and thereby made inoperative. Appropriate means, preferably airoperated cylinders and pistons, are employed to momentarily move therolls together and to thereby make them momentarily operative.

It is evident that the rolls while together must turn less ice than onerevolution. Inasmuch as the web is moving at high speed it would be mostdiflicult to attempt to bring the rolls to full speed operation within afraction of one rotation. A further object of the present invention isto overcome this difiiculty, which is done by starting the rolls andbringing them up to synchronous speed while they are still separated.When they are momentarily moved together by the air cylinders they arealready rotating at proper speed. This in turn requires proper tirningin relation to the position of the cutting knife and adhesive tape, andfor that purpose the apparatus is preterably provided with cam-operatedmeans for automatically controlling the timing of the air-operatedcylinders.

It has already been mentioned that the new is preferably placed on topof the old for proper functioning of the scrap removing means. Therollsm aybe giiit e large and heavy, say 60" or 72" in diameter. Furtherobjects of the present invention center about the and mounting of therolls with a view to bringing'a new roll into position withoutinterrupting the supply'of web from the old roll. We have accordinglydeviseda roll stand for use in combination with the splicer, and thesaid roll stand is well adapted to readily supply the new web on top ofthe old, as required by the splicer. It is also convenient in being ableto pick up a roll which has been moved to a point at one end of the rollstand and while the roll is resting on the floor, thereby dispensingwith the need for special lifting means for the'roll.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and other more specificobjects which will hereinafter appear, our invention resides in the buttsplicer and roll stand elements, and their relation one to another, asare hereinafter more particularly described in the followingspecification. The specification is accompanied by drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat schematic side elevation of the splicer and rollstand apparatus embodying features of our invention;

Fig. 2 is explanatory of the nature of the butt splice made by theapparatus;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to the upper right end of Fig. 1,but explanatory of the roll liftingstep;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the roll stand with the roll support bearingsand the chains removed for clarity .of the parts shown;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the roll stand; 1

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken through the splice approximately inthe plane of the line 6- 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram for the apparatus;

Fig. 8 is a diagramatic showing of the air supply system for theapparatus; and

Fig. 9 is explanatory of the operation of the splicer.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly Fig. 1, the completeapparatus comprises a roll stand generally designated R, followedimmediately by a butt splicer generally designated B. The butt splicercomprises superposed cutting rolls generally designated C and superposedsplicer rolls generally designated S.

The roll stand R will be described in detail later, briefly, comprisesmeans to support an old or first roll 12 and a new or second roll 14,the arrangement being such that the new web 16 is always disposed overold or expiring web 18.

Coming now to the butt splicer B, there are superposed cutting rolls 20and 22 which are normally separated an amount such that they do notoperate on the webor webs passing therebetween. There is an additionalmeans 24 to move the rolls together, in this case by raising the lowerroll 22 to the upper roll 20. i

There are also a pair of superposed splicer rolls 26 and 28 which areadapted to carry an adhesive material. Most conveniently they carry apressure sensitive adhesive tape extending longitudinally or axially ofthe roll. The rolls is' the same as the diameter of the rolls. teeth ofthe gears are made of sufficient height to keep the 26 and 28 arenormally separated so that they do not apply the adhesive tape to a webpassing therebetween. These rolls are provided with a means 30 to movethem together, and in the present machine the lower roll 28 is raised upto the upper roll 26.

The upper and lower rolls are to be driven in unison and in oppositedirection, which is most conveniently done by using directly meshingspur gears, shown at 32 and 34 in Fig. 6, for the cutting rolls and 22.A similar pair of spur gears is provided for the splicer rolls 26 and28.

It will be understood that the pitch diameter of the gears However, the

same in mesh even when the lower roll is moved to its down position.This maintains the upper and lower rolls in proper registration, whetherseparated or pressed together. 7

Another important dimension of the splicer is the horizontal orcenter-to-center distance between the cutting .rolls and the splicerrolls. .2" less as a minimum, than the circumference of the rolls. Thespacing may be much less than the circumference. vFor convenience thesplicer rolls and cutter rolls are made alike in diameter, and areturned in synchronism.

This is kept a little less, say

In Fig. 2 it will be seen that the leading end of the new web 16 is buttspliced to the trailing end of the expiring web 18 by means of a pair oftapes 40 and 42 adhesively secured on opposite sides of the webs alongthe abutting ends. The ideas underlying the operation of the apparatusto produce such a splice may be described with reference to Fig. '9 ofthe drawing. The position of the rolls is there shown a little Whileafter cutting through the two overlapping webs to form abutting ends,and while the travelling abutting ends are located between the cuttingrolls and the splicing rolls.

The cutting blade 44 of roll 20 has cut through both the new web 16 andthe old web v18, in cooperation with a mating die portion 46 on the roll22. There is scrap or waste 48 from the trailing end of the expiring web18, and the roll 22 is provided with means 'adhesive tape 60, and roll28 carries an adhesive tape 62. The timing of the operation is such thatthe tapes come one abovethe other at the same time that the butt joint64 comes to the pressure point between the rolls, and thus the tapes areapplied to the top and bottom of the webs astride the joint, as shown inFig. 2, thereby forming the desired splice. Inasmuch as the horizontalcenter-tocenter spacing between the cutting rolls and the splicer rollsis less than one circumference of the rolls, the lower rolls may bedropped promptly after the tapes are ap- "plied, thereby making all ofthe rolls inoperative before the cutting parts 44 and 46 of the rolls 20and 22 come together again. This avoids again cutting the newly splicedweb.

Reverting now to Fig. 1, to help insure proper feed of the webs withoutreliance solely on the cutting and splicing rolls, the unit preferablyincludes a pair of superposed pull rolls 66 and 68. These may beseparated or brought together by a means 70. They are separated when.firs't'manually threading the starting end of a new web 16 into thesplicer. At that time the scrap pull rolls 54 and 56 are also separated,as by means of manual control lever 72. The rolls 54, 56 are moreimportant than the rolls 66, 68, in that the apparatus will functionwithoutv the latter. fIlle various rolls of the splicer are all driven,from 9.

4 single main shaft 74. It will be understood that this shaft extends inthe direction of the web, and alongside all of the machines or presseswhich operate on the web. For example, there may be a series of gravureprinting presses to apply multi-color printing to the web, and thepresses may be followed by appropriate punching or/and gluing or/ andstacking units. At suitable points appropriate feed units or pull unitsmay be provided. All of these units act on a single continuous web andtherefore must be driven in synchronism. The synchronous. drive isprovided by the main shaft 74 extending along and interconnecting all ofthe units.

Referring now to Fig. 1, shaft 74, through appropriate clutches 76 and78, drives a shaft 80 which carries a helical gear 82 meshing with ahelical gear 84. In Fig. 6 the helical gears are shown housed, thedriven gear being,

housed at 86. The helical gear 84 drives a relatively large diameterspur gear 88, which in turn meshes with a pair of equal diameter spurgears and 92. The relative location of these is best shown in Fig. l.The spur gear 90 is carried by the shaft of roll 26 and drives thatroll, while the spur gear 92 is carried by the shaft of roll 20 anddrives that roll. The upper roll 20 in turn drives the lower roll 22through the spur gears 32 and 34 (Fig. 6) previously referred to, andsimilarly, the upper roll 26 drives the lower roll 28 through a similarpair of superposed spur gears previously referred to, but not shown inFig. 1 of the drawing because the pitch line of the gears coincides withthe roll circumference.

The shaft of roll 20 carries a sprocket wheel 94. This drives a sprocketchain 96 which passes around a sprocket wheel 98 carried by the shaft ofpull roll 56, and also passes around a sprocket wheel 100 carried by theshaft of the pull roll 66. The diameters of the sprocket wheels 94, 98and 100 are made proportional to the diameters of their respectiverolls, thus equalizing the linear or surface speed of all of the rolls.The pressure rolls 54 and 68, cooperating with the chain-driven pullrolls 56 and 66 respectively, need not be positively driven. It willthus be seen that rotation of the shaft 80 and helical gears 82, 84drives the entire 'butt splicer unit.

In Fig. 6 it will be seen that the means 24 which operates on thebearing 102 at one end of the roll 22, is matched by a similar means 24'acting on the bearing 102' at the opposite end of the roll. These meansare preferably air-operated pistons and cylinders. Referring now to Fig.8, it will be seen that the cylinders 24 and 24 for acting on thecutting rolls, and cylinders 30 and 30' for acting on the splicer rolls,and also the cylinders 70 and 70' for acting on the main pull rolls, areall connected together by appropriate air supply pipes 104, 106, 108 and109 fed through an air valve 110. This is preferably a solenoid-operatedair valve, the solenoid being schematically indicated at 112. It will beunderstood that when the valve 110 is opened the rolls are movedtogether, and when the valve is returned to initial position the rollsare moved apart. They might be permitted to fall gravitationally, butfor purposes of quick and positive action we prefer to make thecylinders 24 and 30 double-acting and to apply air pressure above thepistons. Compression springs might equally well be employed to insurequick separation of the rolls. The valve at 110 may be made more complexto supply air above the pistons when the air is released below thepistons, and vice versa, or in a simpler arrangement air may be admittedcontinuously above the pistons, thus providing an air cushion return. Inthe latter case it will be understood that the elfe'ctive area above thepiston is made considerably smaller than that below the piston, a resultwhich is inherently obtained to considerable extent because of thediameter of the piston rod, or the pressure may be made less.

Reverting now to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the clutch 76 is preferably amagnetic clutch and brake. This is a known unit so designed that whenthe clutchportion is energized the brake portion is de-energized, andvice versa. In simple form the clutch'may includean'axially movableelement having friction surfaces on opposite faces, and which isnormally moved as by means of a :spring against a stationary frictionsurface, thus acting as a brake to quickly stop the output shaft 114 ofthe clutch. However, when the clutch is energized the axially movableelement is pulled to bring its friction surface into engagement with amating friction surface on the driving :shaft 74, thus driving theoutput shaft 114. The latter is connected to a second clutch 78 which ismanually operable, as by means of a control lever 116.

At a suitable convenient point the butt splicer B is provided with apanel carrying three pushbuttons, here indicated at 118, 120 and 122.The pushbutton 118 is marked Start; the pushbutton 120 is marked Splice;and the pushbutton 122 is marked Stop.

In order to properly and automatically time the precise instant ofraising and lowering the rolls 22 and 28 within a single revolution ofthe rolls, one or more of the rolls is provided with cam-operated switchmeans to initiate the moving together of the rolls of said pairs and toagain separate the same at the end of the splicing operation. In thepresent case the switch means comprises two separate cam-operatedswitches, and for convenience one is mounted on the upper roll 20 andthe other is mounted on the lower roll 22, but inasmuch as these rollsrotate in synchronism they might equally well be mounted on one roll orthe other, or on either or both of the rolls 26 and 28. In the presentcase the upper cam 124 operates a rnicroswitch 126 to start the splicingoperation, and the lower cam 128 operates a microswitch 130 to terminatethe splicing operation. It will be seen that the cams 124 and 128 areabout 270 apart, so that the entire splicing operation takes place inless than one revolution of the rolls.

The operation of the control circuit may be explained with reference toFig. 7 of the drawing. Power for the control circuits is supplied atterminals 132. A separate power supply may be employed for the magneticclutch and brake, and the terminals for this separate power supply areindicated at 134. The coil system of the magnetic clutch and brake isindicated at 76. The sole- -noid of the air valve 110 previouslyreferred to in connection with Fig. 8 is shown at 112. The Start, Spliceand Stop buttons are shown at 118, 120, and 122, respectively. Theswitches 118 and 120 are normally open, While switch 122 is normallyclosed. The upper cam and rnicroswitch are shown at 124, 126, the saidswitch being normally open. The lower cam and rnicroswitch are shown at128 and 130, the said switch being normally closed.

The circuit is completed by relays generally designated 136, 138 and140.

It will be seen that by depressing the Start button 118 a circuit fromterminals 132 is closed through relay 136, thereby closing its uppercontacts which then act as a stick circuit for the button 118 so thatthe latter need be pressed only momentarily. The closing of the lowercontacts of the relay 136 energizes the magnetic clutch 76, thus settingthe various rolls of the splicer in rotation in order to bring the sameup to speed. However, the actual splicing operation will not take placeuntil and unless the Splice button 120 is depressed. When this is done acircuit from terminals 132 is closed through the relay 140, which thenacts as a stick circuit for the button 120 so that it need be depressedonly momentarily. The relay 138 is not energized because the normallyopen microswitch 126 is still open. However, when the cam 124 closesswitch 126 the relay 138 is energized and the lower contacts of therelay act as a stick circuit for the microvswitch 126 so that the latterneed be energized only mo- :mentarily. The upper-contacts of relay 138close a circuit through the valve solenoid 112, and it will be recalled.by'reverting to Fig. 8 that this supplies air to the air cylinders andthus raises the cutting and splicing rolls for the splicing operation.After the splicing operation has taken'place, and before completion ofone full revolution of the rolls, the cam 128 operates on themicroswitch 130, thereby opening the same. This opensthe entire circuitfrom terminals 132, thereby de-energizing all of the relays and thevalve solenoid 112 and the clutch and brake unit 76. The lower cuttingand splicing rolls drop instantly and continued rotation of the rolls isarrested by the brake action.

The roll stand R may be described in greater detail with reference toFigs. 1, 4 and 5 of the drawing. Theroll stand comprises generallyhorizontal tracks and 150 which support bearings to carry the old andnew rolls. In Fig. l the bearings are shown at 154, 156 and 158, and inFig. 5 a pair of bearings is shown at 154, 154'. It will be understoodthat the bearings 156 and 158 also'have mating bearings at the oppositesides of the roll stand. The bearings have been omitted in Fig. 4. Thereisan endless sprocket chain 160 carried by sprocket wheels 162 and 164,the said chain carrying the bearings 154, 156 and 158. There is asimilar chain and sprocket wheels at the opposite side of the unit tocarry the bearings 154', 156 and 158. In Figs. 4 and 5 the sprocketwheels are shown, but the endless chains which pass around the sprocketwheels have been omitted. The bearings are equally spaced around thechain, and there should be at least three bearings on each chain,although a greater number might be used. The spacing of thebearings'along the chain is so related to the length of the generallyhorizontal track 158 that two of the bearings-in this case 154 and158-may rest on top of the track at the same time. Of course, the lengthof track 150 is also adequate to receive rolls of the maximum diameterrequired, say 60" or 72". The splicing operation is performed when theold roll 12 is almost exhausted, and at any time between the splicingoperation and the imminent exhaustion of the next roll 14 the chains aremoved to draw the bearings 158, 158' along the support tracks 150, 150until the roll 14 assumes the forward position. At this time the nextbearing 156 is moved up to the position now occupied by the bearing 158where it is adapted to receive a new roll preparatory to the nextsplicing operation. This shift of roll position in no way affects theoperation of the subsequent presses because the web is simply beingpulled from the roll, and indeed, friction is applied to keep the websomewhat taut. For this'purpose each bearing carries brake meanscontrolled by a hand wheel indicated at 166.

The shift of the imminently exhausted roll from rear position to forwardposition may itself be utilized to pick up a new roll in the next pairof bearings, thus dispensing with the need for a special hoist or othermeans to elevate the new roll. For this purpose the support track 150 isplaced at such an elevation that the bearings on the track support theroll with its axis at a height at least a little greater than themaximum radius of theroll, which may be, say, 30" or 36". In such case anewroll may be rolled into position at the end of the roll stand R,-asindicated by the roll 168 fragmentarily suggested in Fig. -3. As thechain moves the bearings the next bearing 156 comes around and up to thesupport shaft 170 of roll 68, thus picking up the shaft, and thecontinued movement of the bearing raises the roll from the floor andcarries it around to the desired position shown at 14 in Fig. 1.

The chains are moved in unison by a drive motor shown at 172 in Figs. 1and 4. This is belted at 174 to.a horizontal shaft 176 which extendsacross the machine 'ata low point, preferably close to the floor levelin order not to interfere with passage of maximum diameter paper rollsbetween the two sides of the stand.

Shaft 176 is geared through mitre gears 178 to a shaft 180 which drivesa worm 182 meshing witha -worm;-gear 184 at the lower end of a verticalshaft 186. At its upper ride-on the top edges of the channels.

end the shaft 186 carries a worm 188 meshing with a worm gear 190carried on the outer end of a short shaft 192 which also carries thesprocket 164. This drives the chain and, of course, the other sprocketwheel 162 may be idle.

The described mechanism is duplicated symmetrically on the opposite sideof the machine, as is indicated by the mitre gears 178, worm 182, wormgear 184', shaft 186', worm 188', worm gear 190', and shaft 192'carrying the sprocket wheel 164. It will thus be seen that the chains atthe sides of the stand are moved in unison whenever the motor 172 isoperated. The control of motor 172 may be manual, for it is only atcomparatively lon intervals that a new roll of paper must be added.

Referring to Fig. it will be seen that the support tracks 150and 150'are channel-shaped and that the bearings The chains are received in thehollow or channel-shaped portion of the tracks, and each chain isconnected to and carries its bearings between the side or supportportions of the track. The bearings and tracks mate in any appropriateway to hold the bearings against sideward movement transversely of thetracks.

OPERATION Referring to Fig. 1, it may be assumed that the old orexpiring roll 12 is still in rear position, that is, at the positionshown for new roll 14. The main drive shaft 74 is rotating, but themagnetic clutch-brake is in braking position, thereby holding the shaft114 stationary. The

Preparation Each splicing cylinder is provided with a strip of pressuresensitive adhesive. This may be held in place by small pins, or it maybe held in place by using a few spaced discs of double-sided pressuresensitive adhesive, the said discs serving to lightly hold in positionthe long tape which, of course, has pressure sensitive adhesive on onlyone side. The splicing rolls carry a clear indication of proper locationfor the tape, and the hand wheel may be used to rotate the rolls to aconvenient position for application of the tape. However, while notshown here in detail, the preparation may be further facilitated byproviding each splicing roll with a mechanically remov able segment orstrip. This is indicated at 202 and 294 in Fig. 9. These segments areremoved, and the adhesive tape is applied to the segment at a nearbywork bench or other support, whereupon the segments are returned to therolls. This, of course, avoids need to reach over and through themachine while applying the tape, for the removable segments are rigidand may be handled from one side of the machine.

It was previously mentioned that the lower cutting roll 22 is providedwith means to pull the trailing scrap from the expiring web arounditself, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawing. This means may consist ofsmall pins which bite into the web, or it may consist of small pieces ofdouble-sided pressure sensitive adhesive. If the latter are employed thepieces of double-sided adhesive are applied immediately behind thecutting point of the cylinder as a part of the preparation of themachine. This step is, of course, aided by free rotation of the rolls bymeans of the hand wheel previously referred to.

The new paper roll is moved up to the roll stand and is loaded on theroll stand by operation of the motor 172,

v as previously described, it being understood that the expiring roll ismoved from the rear position to the forwardposition shown in Fig..l,.andthat at the same time 8 the new roll is picked up by its supportbearings and raised to the rear position shown in Fig. 1, the pick-upstep being shown in Fig. 3.

The leading end of the new web 16 is then threaded on top of the old webbetween the pull rollers 66, 6S and between the cutting rolls 20, 22,and then around cutting roll 20 to a position between the scrap pullrolls 54, 56.

The leading edge of the web is brought as far as the scrap reservoir210. The manual control 72 is then turned to apply pressure between therolls 54 and 56. The manual clutch 78 is then engaged, therebycompleting the preparation of the apparatus, it being understood that atthis time the new web is still stationary because the magneticclutch-brake 76 is disengaged. The expiring web, however, is moving atfull speed through the splicer to the presses.

Making the splice When the old roll has just about expired the Startbutton 118 is pressed. This engages the magnetic clutch and acceleratesall of the rotating elements of the splicer. It also begins feed of thenew web by reason of the scrap pull rolls 54, 56 and thereby acceleratesthe new roll 14 which, of course, is important because of the largediameter and great mass of the new roll. In a few seconds, say one tothree seconds, depending on web speed, etc., the new web is traveling atthe same speed as the old web, and the parts are all running insynchronism, whereupon the Splice button 120 is pressed. The aircylinders are activated almost immediately, although not in directresponse to the pushbutton, and instead the response is properly timedin relation to the orientation of the cutting and splicing rolls byreason of the camoperated switch mechanism previously described. Forpractical purposes, at least from the viewpoint of the op erator, theSplice button activates the air cylinders, thereby applying pressure atthe pull rolls 66, 68 and at the cutting and splicing rolls. As theknife or knives of the cutting rolls pass through the pressure point,the cut is made through both webs simultaneously. Immediately after thecut has been made there are four ends of web which become disposed, aswas explained with reference to Fig. 9 of the drawing. The trailing endof the old web and the leading end of the new web are traveling in astraight path and are butted together ready for application of theadhesive. It will be understood that there is a table or support surfaceindicated at 212 in Fig. 9 which insures that the ends will remain inalignment. The trailing end of the scrap of the new web is being pulledaround the upper cutting roll toward and into the waste reservoir. Theleading end of the scrap from the old web has adhered to the adhesiveapplied behind the cutting point on the lower cutting roll and is beingpulled down around the lower cutting roll. The butted ends reach thepressure point between the splicing rolls, whereupon the adhesive tapesare applied on opposite sides, thus providing a joint as shown in Fig. 2of the drawing.

Immediately after the adhesive tapes have been applied the cam-operatedswitch mechanism previously described de-energizes the circuits in sucha way that the cutting, splicing and pull rolls are retracted byoperation at the air cylinders and the magnetic clutch 76 isde-energized, thereby immediately stopping rotation of all elements.Because of this quick stoppage the scrap from the trailing 'end of theold web is not wound in repeated convolutions about the lower cuttingroll. The latter turns less than a full rotation, and the leading end ofthe scrap is exposed to be pulled free of the cylinder, thus permittingthe remainder of the scrap to be drawn manually through and out of thesplicer.

The manual clutch is disengaged; the scrap pull roll 54 is retractedmanually; the scrap from the trailing end of the expiring web is pulledout of the splicer around the lower cutting roll; and the scrap from theleading endof the new web isremoved from the scrap reservoir 210.

The splicer is then ready for preparation for the next splice, asoutlined above under the heading Preparation.

The Stop button 122 shown in Figs. 1 and 7 is not used normally. In Fig.7 it will be seen that it is a normally closed switch in series with anormally closed microswitch 13%. Pressure on the Stop button 122 opensthe main circuit to the current supply source 132, therebytie-energizing all of the relays and immediately stopping the splicer,both by dropping the lower rolls and arresting rotation of the rolls.

SUMMARY It is believed that the construction, operation, and method ofuse of our improved automatic butt splicing apparatus, as well as theadvantages thereof, will be ap parent from the foregoing description.The splicer starts the new roll, synchronizes the speeds of the new andold webs, cuts both webs simultantously, and applies pressure sensitiveadhesive tape both to the bottom and top surfaces, thereby connectingthe new and old webs in butt relation. This operation is accomplishedwithout stopping or slowing the old web, and without requiring theprovision of an extensive web reserve in the form of loops in an effortto feed the presses or other converting equipment while the splice isbeing made.

The apparatus operates at web speeds up to three hundred feet perminute, and higher speeds no doubt will be obtainable with furtherexperience and refinement of the apparatus.

The roll stand shifts an expiring roll from new-roll position toold-roll position without in any way affecting the feed of the web tothe presses and at the same time itself picks up a new roll from thefloor and raises it to a suitable new-roll position such that the newweb is always disposed on top of the old web, as is required for properoperation of the splicer when laid out as here shown. The apparatusmight be inverted with the new web threaded beneath the old web as byunreeling the web from the bottom instead of the top of the roll, and byproviding the scrap pull rolls and scrap reservoir at the bottom insteadof the top of the splicer, but the present arrangement is thought to bemore convenient.

An important advantage of the present splicer is that it does notdisturb the normal feed of the expiring web. There is no need to provideand to then abruptly use up a slack loop of old web when making thesplice, and even more important, there is no requirement that the oldweb assume the burden of starting and accelerating the new web and itslarge roll as soon as the splice has been made. From this viewpoint themain function of the pull rolls 54, 56 is to preliminarily acceleratethe new roll, and to synchronize the new and the old webs, before thesplice is made. We have called the rolls 54, 56 scrap pull rolls merelyto distinguish the same from other pull rolls, and not to suggest thattheir sole function is to remove the scrap from the leading end of thenew web. They do remove the scrap, but when considering the operatingprinciple of the machine, their more important function is to acceleratethe new web and bring it up to synchronous speed before cutting andsplicing. In this aspect it is the preliminary synchronization of thenew and old webs which makes it possible to cut and splice withoutproviding a'slack loop, and without disturbing or heavily loading theold web and the newly made splice.

The cutting rolls may each have a knife, the said knives coming togetherand each roll having a respective groove or platen adjacent the knife toreceive the other knife, .so that the main surfaces of the rolls may bea full diameter and may act as feed rolls for the webs, or, in thealternative, one cutting roll may have a knife and the other cuttingroll may have an anvil or surface against which .the knife may bear atthe pressure point between the rolls to cut :through the webs. We haveshown three air cylinders on each side the splicer for the three lowerrolls, but it will be understood that if desired a lesser number of aircylinders could be used acting on appropriate connections, linkages orgearing to simultaneously raise all rolls. Indeed it is not evennecessary to have separate air cylinders on each side of the machine,but the use of separate cylinders has the benefit of acting as anautomatic equalizing means to insure equal pressure at both ends of eachroll.

It is understood that while we have shown and described our invention ina preferred form, changes may be made in the structure disclosed withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, as sought to be defined inthe following claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for butt splicing webs end to end, said apparatuscomprising a pair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed withtheir axes transverse of the Web, means to abruptly move said rollstogether for web severance through both webs which are to be spliced, apair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted to carry an adhesivematerial, said rolls being disposed with their axes transverse of theweb, and means to abruptly move said splicer rolls together to apply theadhesive material to the severed web ends.

2. Apparatus for butt splicing moving webs end to end, said apparatuscomprising a pair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed withtheir axes transverse of the web, means to move said rolls together forweb severance, a pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted tocarry a pressure sensitive adhesive tape, said rolls being disposed withtheir axes transverse of the web, means to move said splicer rollstogether to apply the tape to the severed web ends, and means fordriving said rolls, the center-to-center spacing between the cuttingrolls and the splicing rolls being less than one circumference of saidrolls, and means to drive all of said rolls in unison.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, combined with a pair of scrap pullrolls associated with one of the cutting rolls and leading to a scrapmagazine for receiving the leading end of the scrap from the leading endof the second or trailing web.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, combined with a pair of normallyseparated main web pull rolls preceding the cutting rolls, means to movethem together during a splicing operation, means on a cutting roll toreceive and hold the leading end of the scrap from the trailing end ofthe old web.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, combined with a pair of scrap pullrolls associated with one of the cutting rolls and leading to a scrapmagazine for receiving the leading end of the scrap from the leading endof the second or trailing web, a pair of normally separated main webpull rolls preceding the cutting rolls, means to move them togetherduring a splicing operation, means on the other cutting roll to receiveand hold the leading end of the scrap from the trailing end of the oldweb.

6. In apparatus as defined in claim 1, a drive shaft, a clutch, gearingconnected to said clutch for driving said cutting and splicing rolls inunison, and cam-operated means to initiate the moving together of therolls of said pairs for the cutting and splicing operation and to againseparate the same at the end of the splicing operation.

7. A butt splicer as defined in claim 6, in which the means for movingtogether the rolls of the pairs consists of air operated cylinders andpistons connected together and to an air supply pipe controlled by asolenoid operated air valve, and in which there is a splice switch forenergizing the circuit of a cam-operated switch means, which in turnenergizes the air valve, thus starting and stopping the splicingoperation in proper timing to the rotative position of the cutting andsplicing rolls.

8. In apparatus as defined in claim 1, a drive shaft, a magnetic clutchand brake connected to said shaft, a manual clutch connected to saidmagnetic clutch and brake, and gearing connected to said manual clutchfor driving said cutting and splicing rolls in unison.

9. In apparatus as defined in claim 1, cam-operated switch meanscontrolling electrical meansto initiate the moving together of the rollsof said pairs for the cutting and splicing operation and to againseparate the same at the end of the splicing operation.

10. In apparatus as defined in claim 1, a drive shaft, a magnetic clutchand brake connected to said shaft, a manual clutch connected to saidmagnetic clutch and brake, gearingconnected to said manual clutch fordriving said cutting and splicing rolls in unison, and camoperatedswitch means controlling electrical means to initiate the movingtogether of the rolls of said pairs for the cutting and splicingoperation and to again separate the same at the end of the splicingoperation.

11. A butt splicer as defined in claim 10, in which the means for movingtogether the rolls of the pairs consists of air operated cylinders andpistons connected together and to an air supply pipe controlled by asolenoid operated air valve, and in which there is a manually operablestarting switch for energizing the magnetic clutch, and in which thereis a splice switch for energizing the circuit of the cam-operated switchmeans, which in turn energizes the air valve, thus starting and stoppingthe splicing operation in proper timing to the rotative position of thecutting and splicing rolls.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, combined with a pair of scrap pullrolls associated with one of the cutting rolls and leading to a scrapmagazine for receiving the leading end of the scrap from the leading endof the second or trailing web, means on the other cutting roll toreceive and hold the leading end of scrap from the trailing end of theexpiring web, a drive shaft, a clutch connected to said shaft, gearingconnected to said clutch for driving said cutting and splicing rolls inunison,

.and cam-operated switch means to initiate the moving together of therolls of said pairs for the cutting and splicing operation and to againseparate the same at the end of the splicing operation.

13. A butt splicer as defined in claim 12, in which the means for movingtogether the rolls of the pairs consists of air operated cylinders andpistons connected together and to an air supply pipe controlled by asolenoid operated air valve, and in which there is a splice switch forenergizing the circuit of a cam-operated switch means, which in turnenergizes the air valve, thus starting and stopping the splicingoperation in proper timing to the rotative position of the cutting andsplicing rolls.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, combined with a pair of scrap pullrolls associated with one of the cutting rolls and leading to a scrapmagazine for receiving the leading endof the scrap from the leading endof the second or trailing web, a pair of normally separated main webpull rolls preceding the cutting rolls, means to move them togetherduring a splicing operation, means on the other cutting roll to receiveand hold the leading end of scrap from the leading web, a drive shaft, amagnetic clutch and brake connected to said shaft, a manual clutchconnected 'to said magnetic clutch and brake, gearing connected to saidmanual clutch for driving said cutting, splicing and pull rolls inunison, and cam-operated means to initiate the moving together of therolls of said pairs for the cutting and splicing operation and to againseparate the same at the end of the splicing operation.

15. A butt splicer as defined in claim 14, in which the means for movingtogether the rolls of the pairs consist of air operated cylinders andpistons connected together and to an air supply pipe controlled by asolenoid operated air valve, and in which there is a manually operablestarting switch for energizing the magnetic clutch, and in which thereis a splice switch for energizing the circuit of a cam-operated switchmeans, which in turn energizes the air valve, thus starting and stoppingthe splicing operation in proper timing to the rotative position of thecutting .and splicing rolls.

16. Apparatus for butt splicing webs end to end,

said apparatus comprising a pair of normally separated but gear-meshedcutting rolls disposed with their axes transverse of the web, means tomove said rolls together for web severance, a pair of normally separatedbut gear-meshed splicer rolls adapted to carry a pressure sensitiveadhesive tape, said rolls being disposed with their axes transverse ofthe web, and means to move said splicer rolls together to apply the tapeto the severed web ends, the gear-mesh of said rolls using teeth ofsufiicient height to remain in mesh whether the teeth are separated ormoved together, the center-to-center spacing between the cutting rollsand the splicing rolls being less than one circumference of said rolls,and means to drive allv of said rolls in unison.

17. Apparatus for butt splicing a new web to an expiring web withoutstopping the expiring web, said apparatus comprising the apparatus ofclaim 2 combined with a pair of new web accelerating pull rollsfollowing the cutting rolls for receiving. the leading end of the scrapfrom the leading end of the second or new web, and means to drive saidpull rolls to accelerate the new web until it reaches the speed of theexpiring web.

18. Apparatus for butt splicing webs end to end, said apparatuscomprising a pair of normally separated but gear-meshed cutting rollsdisposed with their axes transverse of the web, means to move said rollstogether for web severance, a pair of normally separated but gearmeshedsplicer rolls adapted to carry an adhesive material, said rolls beingdisposed with their axes transverse of the web, and means to move saidsplicer rolls together to apply the tape to the severed web ends, thegear-mesh of said rolls using teeth of sufficient height to remain inmesh whether the rolls are separated or moved together.

19. Apparatus for butt splicing webs end to end, said apparatuscomprising a pair of cutting rolls having a length approximating thewidth of the web and disposed with their axes transverse of theweb, anda pair of splicer rolls adapted to carry a pressure sensitive adhesivetape, said splicer rolls having a length approximating the width of theweb and being disposed with their axes transverse of the web, thecenter-to-center spacing between the cutting rolls and the splicingrolls being less than one circumference of said rolls, and means todrive all of said rolls in unison.

20. Apparatus for butt splicing webs end to end, said apparatuscomprising a pair of normally separated cutting means having a lengthapproximating the width of the web and disposed transversely of the web,means to guide both webs which are to be spliced in the same directionthrough the cutting means, means to abruptly move said cutting meanstogether for severance of both of the webs, a pair of normally separatedsplicer means adapted to carry and carrying a pressure sensitiveadhesive tape, said splicer means and the tape carried thereby having alength approximating the width of the web and being disposedtransversely of the web, and means to abruptly move said splicer meanstogether to apply the adhesive tape to the severed web ends.

21. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, said apparatusscomprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted to carryan adhesive material, said rolls being disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said splicer rolls together toapply the material to the severed web ends, a scrap magazine, and a pairof scrap pull rolls associated with one of the cutting rolls and leadingto said scrap magazine for receiving the leading end of the scrap fromthe leading end of the second or trailing web.

22. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, .said apparatus comprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a pair of normally separated splicer rollsadapted .to carryan adhesive material, said rolls being disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said splicer rolls together toapply the material to the severed web ends, a pair of normally separatedmain web pull rolls preceding the cutting rolls, means to move themtogether during a splicing operation, and means on a cutting roll toreceive and hold the leading end of the scrap fiom the trailing end ofthe old web.

23. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, said apparatus comprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted to carryan adhesive material, said rolls being disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said splicer rolls together toapply the material to the severed web ends, a scrap magazine, a pair ofscrap pull rolls associated with one of the cutting rolls and leading tosaid scrap magazine for receiving the leading end of the scrap from theleading end of the second or trailing web, a pair of normally separatedmain web pull rolls preceding the cutting rolls, means to move themtogether during a splicing operation, and means on the other cuttingroll to receive and hold the leading end of the scrap from the trailingend of the old web.

24. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, said apparatus comprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted to carryan adhesive material, said rolls being disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said splicer rolls together toapply the material to the severed Web ends, a drive shaft, a clutch,gearing connected to said clutch for driving said cutting and splicingrolls in unison, and cam-operated means to initiate the moving togetherof the rolls of said pairs for the cutting and splicing operation and toagain separate the same at the end of the splicing operation.

25. A splicer as defined in claim 24, in which the means for movingtogether the rolls of the pairs consists of air operated cylinders andpistons connected together and to an air supply pipe controlled by asolenoid operated air valve, and in which there is a splice switch forenergizing the circuit of a cam-operated switch means, I

which in turn energizes the air valve, thus starting and stopping thesplicing operation in proper timing to the rotative position of thecutting and splicing rolls.

26. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end said apparatus comprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted to carryan adhesive material, said rolls being disposed with their axestransverse of the webfmeans to move said splicer rolls together to applythe material to the severed web ends, a drive shaft, a magnetic clutchand brake connected to said shaft, a manual clutch connected to saidmagnetic clutch and brake, and gearing connected to said manual clutchfor driving said cutting and splicing rolls in unison.

27. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, said apparatus comprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted to carryan adhesive material, said rolls being disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said splicer rolls together toapply the material to the severed web ends, a drive shaft, a magneticclutch and brake connected to said shaft, a manual clutch connected tosaid magnetic clutch and brake, gearing connected to said manual clutchfor driving said cutting and splicing rolls in unison, and cam-operatedswitch means controlling electrical means to initiate the movingtogether of the rolls of said pairs for the cutting and splicingoperation and to again separate the same at the end of the splicingoperation.

28. A splicer as defined in claim 27, in which the means for movingtogether the rolls of the pairs consists of air operated cylinders andpistons connected together and to an air supply pipe controlled by asolenoid operated air valve, and in which there is a manually operablestarting switch for energizing the magnetic clutch, and in which thereis a splice switch for energizing the circuit of the cam-operated switchmeans, which in turn energizes the air valve, thus starting and stoppingthe splicing operation in proper timing to the rotative position of thecutting and splicing rolls.

. 29. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, said apparatus comprisinga pair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted to carryan adhesive material, said rolls'being disposed with their axestransverse of the Web, means to move said splicer rolls together toapply the material to the severed web ends, a scrap magazine, a pair ofscrap pull rolls associated with one of the cutting rolls and leading tosaid scrap magazine for receiving the leading end of the scrap from theleading end of the second or trailing web, means on the other cuttingroll to receive and hold the leading end of scrap from the trailing endof the expiring web, a drive shaft, a clutch connected to said shaft,gearing connected to said clutch for driving said cutting and splicingrolls in unison, and cam-operated switch means to initiate the movintogether of the rolls of said pairs for the cutting and splicingoperation and to again separate the same at the end of the splicingoperation.

30. A splicer as defined in claim 29, in Which-the means for movingtogether the rolls of the pairs consists of air operated cylinders andpistons connected together and to an air supply pipe controlled by asolenoid operated air valve, and in which there is a splice switch forenergizing the circuit of a cam-operated switch means, which in turnenergizes the air valve, thus starting and stopping the splicingoperation in proper timing to the rotative position of the cutting andsplicing rolls.

31. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, said apparatus comprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the Web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted to carryan adhesive material, said rolls being disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said splicer rolls together toapply the material to the severed web ends, a scrap magazine, a pair ofscrap pull rolls associated with one of the cutting rolls and leading tosaid scrap magazine for receiving the leading end of the scrap from theleading end of the second or trailing web, a pair of normally separatedmain Web pull rolls preceding the cutting rolls, means to move themtogether during a splicing operation, means on the other cutting roll toreceive and hold the leading end of scrap from the leading web, a driveshaft, a magnetic clutch and brake connected to said shaft, a manualclutch connected to said magnetic clutch and brake, gearing connected tosaid manual clutch for driving said cutting, splicing and pull rolls inunison, and cam-operated means to initiate the moving together of therolls of said pairs for the cutting and splicing operation and to againseparate the same at the end of the splicing operation.

32. A splicer as defined in claim 31, in which the means for movingtogether the rolls of the pairs consists of air operated cylinders andpistons connected together and to an air supply pipe controlled by asolenoid operated air valve, and in which there is a manually operablestarting switch for energizing the magnetic clutch, and in which thereis a splice switch for energizing the circuit of a cam-operated switchmeans, which in turn energizes the air valve, thus starting and stoppingthe splicing operation in proper timing to the rotative position of thecutting and splicing rolls. a

33. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, said apparatus comprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted tocarry anadhesive material, said rolls being disposed with their axes transverseof the .web, means to move said splicer rolls together to apply thematerial to the severed web ends, a pair of new web accelerating pullrolls following the cutting rolls for receiving theleading end of thescrap from the leading end of the second or new web, and means to drivesaid pull rolls to accelerate the new web until it reaches the speed ofthe expiring web.

34. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, said apparatus comprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to move said rolls together for webseverance, a

pair of normally separated splicer rolls adapted to carry an adhesivematerial, said rolls being disposed'with their axes transverse of theweb, means to move said splicer rolls together to apply the material tothe severed web tends, a scrap magazine, a pair of scrap pull rollsleading to said scrap magazine for receiving the'leading end of thescrap from the leading end of the second or new web, a pair of web pullrolls preceding the cutting means, and means to receive and hold theleading end of the scrap from the trailing end of the old web.

35. Apparatus for butt splicing a new web to an expiring web withoutstopping the expiring web, said apparatus comprising the apparatus ofclaim 2 combined with a pair of newweb accelerating pull rolls followingthe cutting rolls for receiving the leading end of the scrap from theleading end of the second or new web, and means to drive said 'pullrolls to accelerate the new web until it reaches the speed of theexpiring web.

36. Apparatus for splicing webs end to end, said apparatus comprising apair of normally separated cutting rolls disposed with their axestransverse of the web, means to rotate said rolls at approximately webspeed, means to abruptly move said rolls together and to quickly againseparate the same for a single cutting operation, a pair of normallyseparated splicer rolls carrying a strip of adhesive tape disposedlengthwise of the splicer rolls, means to rotate said splicer rolls atapproximately web speed, and means to abruptly move said splicer rollstogether to apply the adhesive tape over the severed web ends.

37. Apparatus for butt splicing webs end to end, said apparatuscomprising a pair of cutting rolls having a length at least as great asthe width of the web and disposed with their axes transverse of the web,and a pair of splicer rolls carrying a strip of adhesive tape disposedlengthwise of the splicer rolls, said splicer rolls having a length atleast as great as the width of the web and being disposed with theiraxes transverse of the web, means to guide both Webs between the rollsof both said pairs of rolls, said cutting rolls having cutting meansdesigned to cut simultaneously through both webs with a single cut, andsaid splicer rolls being designed to apply the aforesaid strip ofadhesive tape over the resulting severed web ends while said ends are inabutting relation'. i

38. Apparatus for butt splicing webs end to end, said apparatuscomprising a pair of cutting rolls having a length at least as great asthe width of the web and disposed with their axes transverse of the web,means to rotate said rolls at approximately web speed, means to abruptlymove said rolls together and to quickly again separate the same for asingle cuttingoperatiom a pair 7 of normally separated splicer rollscarrying a strip of adhesive tape disposed lengthwise of the splicerrolls, said splicer rolls having a length at least as great 'as thewidth of the ,web and being .disposed with their axes transverse of theweb, means to rotate said splicer rolls at approximately web. speed,means to guide both webs between the rolls of both said pairs of rolls,said cutting rolls having cutting means designed to cut simultaneouslythrough both webs with a single cut, and means to abruptly move saidsplicer rolls together to apply the aforesaid strip of adhesive tapeover the severed web ends while said ends are in abutting relation. 7

39. Apparatus for butt splicing'webs end to end, said apparatuscomprising a pair ofnormally separated cutting means having. alengthapproximating the Width of the web and disposed transversely of the web,means to guide'both webs which are to be spliced in the same directionthrough the cutting means, means to abruptly move said cutting meanstogether for severance of both of the webs, a pair of normally separatedsplicer means adapted to carry and carrying a pressure sensitiveadhesive tape, said splicer means and the tape carried thereby having alength approximating the width of the web and being disposedtransversely of the web, and meansto abruptly move said splicer meanstogether to apply the adhesive tape to the'severed web ends, a pair ofscrap pull rolls leading ,to a scrap magazine for receiving the leadingend of the scrap from the leading end of the second or new web, a pairofWeb pull rolls preceding the cutting means, and meansv to, receiveandhold the leading end of the,

scrap from the trailing end of the old web.

40. Apparatus as defined claim 2, combined with a A pair of scrap pullrolls' associated with one of the cutting rolls and leading to. a scrapmagazine for receiving the leading end of the scrap from theleadingendofthe second or trailing web. e 7

41. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, combined with a pair of normallyseparated main web pull rolls preceding the cutting rolls, means to movethem together during a sphcing operation, means on a cutting roll toreceive and hold the leading end of the scrap from the trailingend oftheold web.

42. Apparatus as defined in claim 2,, combined with a pair of scrap pullrolls associated with one of the cutting rolls and leading'to a'scrapmagazine for receiving the leading end of the scrapfrom the leading endof the second or trailing web, a pair of normally separated main webpull rolls preceding the cutting rolls, means to move them togetherduring a splicingoperation, means on the other cutting roll .to receiveand hold the leading end of the scrap from the. trailing end ofv the oldweb.

References Cited in the file. of this patent -UNITED STATES PATENTS VFarnsworth ,Mar. 27, 1892

